12.10.17

Brexit talks ‘deadlocked’, EU’s Barnier says

British
Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union (Brexit Minister)
David Davis (L) and European Union Chief Negotiator in charge of Brexit
negotiations with Britain Michel Barnier (R) shake hands as they leave
after addressing media representatives at the European Union Commission
in Brussels on October 12, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND

Brexit negotiations are deadlocked on the crucial issue of Britain’s
exit bill but a breakthrough remains possible in the next two months,
the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier said on Thursday.
Wrapping up a fifth round of talks with David Davis, Britain’s Brexit
minister, Barnier said there was not enough progress to recommend that
negotiations should move from divorce issues to trade.
But Davis said he still hoped that the 27 other EU leaders could
decide to shift to the next phase when they meet for a summit in
Brussels next week.

“This week we have worked in a constructive spirit, we have clarified
some points, but we have not taken great steps forward,” Barnier said
at a joint news conference at EU headquarters.
Barnier reserved his grimmest assessment for the issue of financial
commitments, saying that Britain had still not spelled out what Prime
Minister Theresa May promised in a key speech in Florence, Italy, last
month.
“We are at a deadlock on this question which is extremely disturbing,” Barnier said.
“I am not currently able to recommend to next week’s European Council to open discussions on the future relationship,” he said.
But he added: “I remain convinced that with political will, decisive breakthroughs are within reach in the coming two months.”